What happened Saturday: college wrapper

There were some big upsets (that make UConn’s loss to Towson seem pedestrian); there were some breathtaking plays (1st quarter of Clemson-Georgia was stunning); and some big bowl dreams busted (hello Boise State); all on the 1st Saturday of college football.

Christion Jones, Alabama, became the first Crimson Tide player since at least the 1940s to have two returns for touchdowns and had another score receiving in the top-ranked Tide’s 35-10 win over Virginia Tech.

Vernon Adams, Eastern Washington, had 518 total yards and accounted for six touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 18 seconds left, as the Eagles upset No. 25 Oregon State 49-46 on Saturday to become the third FCS team to beat a ranked FBS team

Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, threw for career-best 416 yards and two TDs to lead the Illini to a 42-34 win over Southern Illinois.

Manziel was sitting out because of what the school called an “inadvertent” violation of NCAA rules involving signing autographs.

His first touchdown came on a 23-yard pass to Mike Evans on A&M’s second drive of the half. But just before that, Manziel got into it with a Rice defender, appearing to mimic signing an autograph while getting up from a tackle.

Coach Kevin Sumlin said he didn’t see that exchange, but would have “done something about it” if he did.

Manziel ended his day by getting yanked following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for pointing at the scoreboard after a TD pass in the fourth quarter.

UPSETTING WEEKEND

No. 25 Oregon State fell flat in its season opener with a surprising 49-46 loss to Eastern Washington.

It wasn’t the only upset during the first week of the college football season.

On Thursday, Towson pulled off what may be the biggest victory in the program’s history, knocking off Connecticut 33-18.

North Dakota State kept it going Friday night by knocking off defending Big 12 champion Kansas State, 24-21 in the Little Apple. Samford also took down FBS newbie Georgia State 31-21.

Southern Utah had the first FCS victory over an FBS school on Saturday, knocking off South Alabama 22-21 on a last-second field goal.

McNeese State followed up by scoring the most points ever against South Florida at home in a 53-21 victory that ruining the Bulls’ debut under coach Willie Taggart.

Eastern Washington had perhaps the most impressive upset, rallying behind Vernon Adams’s six TDs to become the third FCS school to knock off a ranked FBS opponent — first since James Madison beat Virginia Tech in 2010.

It was the second time Oregon State has lost to a FCS opponent in three seasons. Sacramento State beat the Beavers 29-28 in overtime in 2011.

TIDE SLOW ROLLS

With everyone focused on a three-peat, Nick Saban reminded his Alabama players of someone who did it twice — Michael Jordan.

If they’re going to follow MJ’s lead, they’ll need to play with a lot more passion than they showed in the season opener.

Better get to it.

Next up, it’s Johnny Football.

Christion Jones became the first Alabama player since at least the 1940s to have two returns for touchdowns, Vinnie Sunseri brought back an interception for another TD, and the top-ranked Crimson Tide overcame a rather dismal offensive performance to beat Virginia Tech 35-10.

Saban sure wasn’t happy with what he saw — especially with Texas A&M and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel looming on the schedule after an off week.

Jones scored on a 72-yard punt return less than 2 minutes into the game, then scooted loose on a kickoff for a 94-yard touchdown that sparked the Crimson Tide to a win that could’ve been much tougher to start its quest for an unprecedented third straight national title.

NUMBERS

24: Years since Duke’s last shutout before a 45-0 rout of North Carolina Central.

173: Yards of interception returns by Georgia Tech in its 70-0 win over Elon, a school record.

200: Career victories for Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly after the Irish rolled over Temple.

625: Total yards by Eastern Washington in its 49-46 upset victory over No. 25 Oregon State.

NICE DEBUT

Mack Brown had tears in eyes before the game and a smile on his face after.

In between, he ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns — and vomited on the sideline.

Not a bad start for Brown or No. 10 Florida, which beat Toledo 24-6.

Brown ran 25 times, equally his carries from all of last season.

He was making his first career start, in the lineup in place of Matt Jones, who missed the opener while recovering from a viral infection. He is expected to return next week at Miami, but Brown certainly stated his case to get some carries the rest of the season.

MITCHELL INJURED

North Carolina State turned to Brandon Mitchell as its starting quarterback in the season opener against Louisiana Tech only to lose the Arkansas transfer to an early left foot injury.

Mitchell directed the Wolfpack to touchdowns on the first two possessions before he was hurt when he was stopped on a third-and-1 keeper on his third series. Mitchell headed to the locker room and returned to the sideline on crutches and wearing a protective boot.